5 Shocking Reasons Why Florida A&M Track And Field Is The New SWAC Dynasty (2025 Update)
Contents
The Architects of Success: FAMU's Track and Field Leadership
The revitalization of the Florida A&M Track and Field program is inextricably linked to the vision and experience of its Director of Track and Field and Cross Country, Garfield Ellenwood II. His leadership has been the catalyst for the Rattlers' historic run.Garfield Ellenwood II: The SWAC Coach of the Year
Ellenwood II was immediately recognized for his impact, earning the prestigious SWAC Women's Outdoor Track and Field Coach of the Year award after leading the Lady Rattlers to their first SWAC Outdoor title in program history. This honor is a testament to his strategic acumen and ability to develop elite talent. He brought over 23 years of proven coaching success to FAMU, having previously coached the sprint, hurdle, and jump groups at the University of Maryland. His expertise in high-level competition has translated directly into conference dominance for the Rattlers.A Strong Coaching Roster
The Director is supported by a robust and experienced coaching staff. * Robert Deadwyler II serves as a key figure, contributing to the daily development of the athletes. * Tamika Kinchen is another vital Assistant Coach whose specialized knowledge helps hone the skills of the diverse roster. This collective expertise ensures that every athlete, from sprinters to field competitors, receives world-class training, establishing a true culture of excellence within the FAMU Athletics department.A New Dynasty: The Women's Team's Back-to-Back SWAC Dominance
The Lady Rattlers have delivered the most stunning results, securing two major conference championships in less than a year. This back-to-back success—the 2024 SWAC Indoor Track and Field title and the 2025 SWAC Outdoor Track and Field Championship—marks a definitive new era for the program.The 2025 SWAC Outdoor Championship Victory
The 2025 Outdoor Championship in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was a monumental victory for FAMU, who claimed the title with 127.5 points. This win was a complete team effort, but several key athletes stood out as true difference-makers. * Arayana Ladson: The Most Outstanding Field Performer. Ladson was the star of the meet, claiming the SWAC Women's Outdoor Track and Field Most Outstanding Field Performer award. Her performances in field events were critical to securing the overall team points, demonstrating the program’s strength beyond the track. * Christina Fitzpatrick: The Distance Queen. The team relied on the endurance and grit of athletes like Christina Fitzpatrick, the defending women's 10,000m champion. Her ability to score points in distance events provides a crucial balance to the team’s sprint and field strengths. * The Triple Jump and Sprint Success. The team was highly ranked in multiple events, including the women's triple jump, where a Rattler athlete was ranked first in the SWAC. The sprinters and relay teams consistently set new personal best records, pushing the team to the top of the conference standings.The 2024 Indoor Title: A Precursor to Dominance
The groundwork for the 2025 outdoor success was laid earlier with the 2024 SWAC Indoor Track & Field title. This victory was the team's first indoor championship in a quarter-century, signaling that the program’s transformation was already underway. This consistency across both indoor and outdoor seasons solidifies their status as the new dominant force in the SWAC.The Men's Program: Rising Talents and the 2025 Indoor Campaign
While the women’s team has captured the recent headlines, the FAMU Men’s Track and Field program is rapidly building momentum, focusing on a strong 2024-2025 indoor season and aiming for future SWAC contention.A Competitive 2025 Schedule
The men’s team has unveiled an exciting schedule, designed to challenge and prepare the athletes for championship competition. They opened the indoor season with standout performances at the Clemson Opener in South Carolina. The 2025 indoor slate also includes the Gamecock Challenge and the prestigious HBCU Showcase in New York, which provides a high-visibility platform for the Rattlers' top performers.Key Men's Athletes to Watch
The men’s roster features several rising stars who are setting new program benchmarks. * Kirk Dawkins: A top competitor who has been noted for his ability to compete at the NCAA Division I level. * Dawson Baker: A senior long jumper whose experience is invaluable to the field events squad. * The Relay Teams: Historically, FAMU has produced top relay teams, with names like Norman Mukwada, Alpha Mpufo, and Anthony Brodie Jr. appearing on the program’s all-time top performances lists. The focus for the men's team is on continued progress, setting personal and school records, and climbing the regional and national rankings throughout the 2025 season.Legacy and Facilities: The Heart of Rattler Track
The current success is built upon a rich legacy that dates back to the very beginnings of FAMU Athletics, which came under faculty supervision in the fall of 1899. This historical foundation provides a powerful sense of tradition and pride for the current athletes.The Historic Pete Griffin Track
The program's home is the Pete Griffin Track, a historic eight-lane facility built in 1980. This track has been the site of countless memorable moments and serves as the annual host of the FAMU Relays. Competing on this track connects the modern Rattlers to the legends who came before them. The entire athletic infrastructure, including the renovated Bragg Memorial Stadium, reflects the university’s commitment to providing top-tier facilities for its student-athletes. This commitment extends to modern sports medicine facilities and a focus on sports psychology counseling, ensuring comprehensive support for all competitors.A Platform for Future Stars
The FAMU Track and Field program is a proven pipeline for future success. Student-athletes like Alyssa Summers, whose status as a key competitor opened doors for opportunities like visits from Nike recruiters, demonstrate the power of the FAMU brand and the platform it provides. The program is effectively using its recent SWAC dominance as a major asset in FAMU recruiting, attracting the next generation of track and field stars to Tallahassee. The combination of a championship-caliber coaching staff, a history-making women's team, a rapidly improving men's team, and a deep-rooted athletic legacy makes Florida A&M University Track and Field one of the most exciting and dynamic programs in collegiate athletics today. Their recent success is not a fluke; it is the calculated start of a new, powerful Rattler Dynasty.
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